MilwaukeeJon Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Can I reuse the Iron Mountain flux that doesn’t adhere to my steel when forge welding? Specifically, I hold the heated knife or axe head over a pan when applying the flux before going back in the forge and there is a fair amount that doesn’t stick to the hot steel. OK to put back in the bottle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 I’m with Steve on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Yep me too, I do it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilwaukeeJon Posted December 10, 2019 Author Share Posted December 10, 2019 Thanks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Use a clean catch pan and try to keep the excess flux clean from debris and scale. If your really concern, then put the excess flux you capture into a second container for use as needed. This keeps the original container of flux absolutely clean. Rather than spoon flux on, you can put the flux into a condiment bottle used for ketchup or mustard at a food table. Just squirt on that is needed. Control the amount used by the size of the opening at the nozzle. You learn not to squeeze but to shake it on where, and as, needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 3 hours ago, Glenn said: Use a clean catch pan and try to keep the excess flux clean from debris and scale Use a magnet to get any scale that does make it into the excess flux. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BartW Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 I melt my flux (borax) - including the used flux - untill it's a castable solid, and I pulverize / grind the block, then go through the powder with a large magnet. After a couple recyclings it becomes a nice gray powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 For plain borax; what "popcorns off" is actually a better flux than plain 20 mule team as it's lost the water and so is now anhydrous. I catch mine in an old metal dustpan and dump it back in the container and reuse it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilwaukeeJon Posted December 10, 2019 Author Share Posted December 10, 2019 The Iron Mountain flux is squirted onto the piece from a condiment-type bottle and I catch the excess in a clean pan. So I'll just put the extra back in the bottle....looks to be the same color and composition as when it was poured so it should work just fine based on your suggestions here. Many thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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